Vehicle seat bracket assembly

ABSTRACT

A recliner bracket for a vehicle includes a web defining a recliner heart receiving aperture. The recliner heart receiving apertures is operably connected with side supports of a seating assembly and include forward and rearward seat support connection tabs. A deformation notch is disposed on a rear portion of the web and is adapted to collapse under a predetermined loading from a rear collision event.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/559,390, filed onNov. 14, 2011, entitled “VEHICLE SEATING ASSEMBLY,” the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a bracket assembly, and morespecifically, to a bracket assembly for a vehicle seat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional vehicle seating assemblies are often constructed based onsize constraints of an interior cabin, as well as meeting designrequirements. The present invention provides a robust seatingarrangement using minimal material, and at the same time provides saferseat components that aid in protecting a passenger during a collisionevent, expedites the time to manufacture the seat, and lessens thepossibility of injury to a manufacturer during installation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a recliner bracket fora vehicle includes a web defining a recliner heart receiving aperture.The recliner heart receiving apertures is operably connected with sidesupports of a seating assembly and include forward and rearward seatsupport connection tabs. A deformation notch is disposed on a rearportion of the web and is adapted to collapse under a predeterminedloading from a rear collision event.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a recliner bracketassembly for a vehicle includes first and second recliner bracketspositioned on either side of a vehicle seat. Each of the first andsecond recliner brackets include a recliner heart receiving aperture,forward and rearward seat connection tabs, and a deformation notch. Adeformation triangle is defined by an H-point of a passenger, thedeformation notch on the first recliner bracket, and the deformationnotch on the second recliner bracket.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a vehicle seatingassembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a portion of the seating assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of a portion of the vehicle seatingassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a recliner bracketengaged with a recliner heart;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a recliner bracket prior toinstallation;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a portion of the recliner bracket ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the recliner bracket of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a portion of the recliner bracketof FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a cushion pan ofthe present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the cushion pan of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the cushion pan of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a suspensionassembly for a vehicle seating assembly;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the suspension assembly of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the suspension assembly of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a wire harness ofthe present invention;

FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view of the wire harness of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the wireharness engaged with a bottom portion of a cushion pan and supporting amodule thereon; and

FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of the wire harness engaged with thecushion pan (partially transparent) of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, itis to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive conceptsdefined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed hereinare not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly stateotherwise.

Referring to the embodiment generally illustrated in FIG. 1, thereference numeral 10 generally designates a vehicle seating assemblythat includes a seat 12 and a seat back 14 and is configured for use ina vehicle. The seat back 14 includes first and second side members 16,18 separated by a top support member 20 and a bottom support member 22.The seat back 14 includes first and second recliner hearts 24, 25 aboutwhich the seat back 14 pivots relative to the seat 12. The reclinerhearts 24, 25 are received in first and second recliner brackets 30, 32that support the seat back 14 and serve as the interface between theseat back 14 and first and second side supports 34, 36 of the seat 12.

Referring now to the embodiment generally illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, thefirst and second recliner brackets 30, 32, when used in conjunction withthe vehicle seating assembly 10, generally define a recliner bracketassembly. It will be noted that the first recliner bracket 30, or leftrecliner bracket, is a mirror image of the second recliner bracket 32,or right recliner bracket. For purposes of clarity, only the leftrecliner bracket 30 is discussed in detail below. However, one havingordinary skill in the art will understand that the right reclinerbracket 32 is a mirror image of the left recliner bracket 30, and thatall features and functions of the right recliner bracket 32 areidentical to the left recliner bracket 30.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-5, the recliner bracket 30 includes a web 40that defines a recliner heart receiving aperture 42. As previouslymentioned, the recliner heart 24 is operably connected with both thefirst side support 34 of the vehicle seating assembly 10 and therecliner bracket 30. A stop flange 44 is positioned above the reclinerheart receiving aperture 42. The recliner bracket 30 also includesforward and rearward seat support connection tabs 50, 52 that includemechanical fastener apertures 54 adapted to engage a side support 56 ofthe seat 12. The planar extent of the rearward seat support connectiontab 52 is offset from the planar extent of the web 40 of the reclinerbracket 30. More specifically, the rearward seat support connection tab52 is offset inwardly to a position closer to the center of the vehicleseating assembly 10. The recliner bracket 30 includes an arcuate lowerportion 60 between the forward seat support connection tab 50 and therearward seat support connection tab 52. In addition, an inside wall 62of the web 40 includes downwardly turned hooks 64 adapted to secure trimcomponents or other modules below the recliner heart receiving aperture42 of the recliner bracket 30. The web 40 also includes a front flange70 and a rear flange 72. The rear flange 72 of the web 40 includes adeformation notch 74, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The deformation notch 74is generally adapted to collapse under a predetermined loading conditionassociated with a rear collision event. Stated differently, when thevehicle has been struck from the rear, the loading forces expressed onthe seat 12 in a rearward direction, if substantial enough, will causethe deformation notch 74 to collapse or crush downward in a controlledmanner, thus minimizing abrasive impact to a passenger and helping thevehicle seating assembly 10 to cradle the passenger. As illustrated, thedeformation notch 74 is disposed in the rear flange 72, such that amidportion of the deformation notch 74 is directly laterally alignedwith the web 40 as it begins to transition inwardly to the offsetportion that generally defines the rearward seat support connection tab52 (FIG. 7).

Referring now to FIGS. 4-8, the recliner bracket 30 also includes adeformation aperture 80. The deformation aperture 80 is disposed in theplanar extent of the web 40 forward of the deformation notch 74. Thedeformation aperture 80 is also disposed slightly above the deformationnotch 74, such that a bottom edge 82 of the deformation aperture 80 istangential with a line that generally defines the transition of the web40 as it begins to curve inwardly to the offset portion that generallydefines the rearward seat support connection tab 52. Together, thedeformation aperture 80 and deformation notch 74 provide controlleddeformation of the vehicle seating assembly 10 as a result of appliedforces in a rearward direction generally associated with a rear impactcollision event and the loads distributed by a passenger on the vehicleseating assembly 10.

Referring again to FIGS. 2-8, and as specifically shown in FIG. 3, theleft and right recliner brackets 30, 32, and the recliner bracketassembly generally, define a deformation triangle 90, wherein an H-point92, or hip point, of a passenger serves as one apex 94, the deformationnotch 74 of the left recliner bracket 30 serves as a second apex 96, andthe deformation notch 74 of the right recliner bracket 32 serves as athird apex 98. The deformation triangle 90 is generally an isoscelestriangle that allows for controlled deformation based on the passengerH-point 92, the recliner pivot, and the recliner bracket 30 attachmentpoints. Traditional recliner brackets used to attach recliner mechanismsto seat cushion structures are relatively stiff and have limiteddeflection and yielding that occur from loading. Consequently, the backframe side members must sustain higher loads. The energy managementfeatures discussed above with respect to the disclosed recliner brackets30, 32 enable the seat back 14 and the first and second side supports34, 36 to be optimized for both gauge and section geometry because therecliner brackets 30, 32 reduce the required load-bearing capacity.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-11, an embodiment of a cushion pan 100 for thevehicle seating assembly 10 is generally disclosed. The cushion pan 100includes a body portion 102 having a first side pocket 104, a centerpocket 106, and a second side pocket 108 that include a module retentionaperture 110. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 9-11, each of themodule retention apertures 110 are recessed in one of the pockets 104,106, 108, such that retention hooks of a wire harness that extend intothe module retention apertures 110 do not extend above a top wall 112 ofthe cushion pan 100. Accordingly, the retention hooks do not contact anycushions of the vehicle seating assembly 10, thus limiting damage to thecushion, and also eliminating, or at least minimizing, any feel of theretention hooks by a passenger seated on the cushion pan 100. Inaddition, the cushion pan 100 includes first and second suspensionassembly retainers 120, 122 that are disposed in the body portion 102.The first and second suspension assembly retainers 120, 122 include anupwardly turned flange 124 having an arcuate slot 126 disposedsubstantially essentially in the flange 124. The arcuate slot 126 iscomplementary in construction to an arcuate wedge disposed on thevehicle seat suspension assembly, as outlined in further detail herein.

Referring again to FIGS. 9-11, the cushion pan 100 also includes aperipheral flange 130 that extends substantially orthogonal to the topwall 112 and to the planar extent of the body portion 102 generally. Theperipheral flange 130 includes a plurality of trim tabs 132. The trimtabs 132 are designed to engage with a seat trim that covers the vehicleseating assembly 10. A bottom portion of the peripheral flange 130includes a peripheral edge 134. The peripheral edge 134 is hemmed abouta substantial portion of the peripheral edge 134. The hemmed portion ofthe peripheral edge 134 forms a generally blunt contact surface with fewor no sharp edges, thereby reducing the possibility of injury to amanufacturer during installation. In addition, the hemmed edge minimizesthe likelihood that a sharp edge will project through the seat trim. Thecushion pan 100 includes rearwardly extending pivot arms 136 that have apivot pin receiving aperture 138. Consequently, the cushion pan 100 canbe rotated between raised and lowered positions to provide additionalsupport to the legs of a passenger.

Referring once again to FIGS. 9-11, the body portion 102 of the cushionpan 100 includes a web that has an approximate thickness of 0.7millimeters. The midportion of the cushion pan 100 includes first andsecond support ribs 142, 144 that extend from a forward portion of thebody portion 102 to a rearward portion of the body portion 102. Thefirst and second support ribs 142, 144 provide additional strength tothe cushion pan 100, which allows for the cushion pan 100 to maintain anapproximate thickness of 0.7 millimeters. In addition, a third supportrib 146 is disposed between the first and second support ribs 142, 144substantially parallel thereto. However, the third support rib 146 doesnot extend all the way from the forward portion of the body portion 102to the rearward portion of the body portion 102. Rather, the thirdsupport rib 146 extends from the central pocket 106 in the body portion102 and does not extend as far rearwardly as the first and secondsupport ribs 142, 144. The central pocket 106 of the body portion 102 ispositioned forward relative to the first and second side pockets 104,108 in the body portion 102. The cushion pan 100 also includes amultitude of apertures adapted for engagement with a module bracket,wire harness, etc. Rounded areas 150 adjacent to each of the rearwardlyextending pivot arms 136 provide additional support to the body portion102, thereby increasing rigidity of the cushion pan 100.

The cushion pan 100 generally includes a multitude of rounded edges,such that sharp corners and sharp edges are substantially eliminatedfrom the overall construction. This configuration provides for addedcomfort to passengers, as well as additional safety to the manufacturerduring the installation process. The cushion pan 100 is generallydesigned and configured to handle the stresses and loadings associatedwith the weight of a passenger during transportation of the passengerfrom one locale to another. The lanced trim tab geometries are designedto interface with the trim in a secure way. Further, retention featuresare disposed throughout the body portion 102 of the cushion pan 100 andare strategically positioned to provide robust attachment of occupantclassification systems, as well as multi-contour seat mechanisms. Theretention features also include error-proofing methodology to preventincorrect assembly during installation. The pockets 104, 106, 108 aredesigned to provide retention features for the plastic module bracketand eliminate buzz, squeak, and rattle concerns. Furthermore, thecushion pan 100 is designed for both power and manual seatingassemblies. Further, the cushion pan 100 is designed for both driver andpassenger side seats, thereby minimizing production tool complexity.Moreover, the cushion pan 100 perimeter profile is optimized to provideclearance to center console features in an interior cabin of a vehicle.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-14, the vehicle seating assembly 10 includes avehicle seat suspension assembly 200. The suspension assembly 200includes a rear support 202 for engagement with a torsion tube 204(FIG. 1) of the vehicle seating assembly 10. The rear support 202includes a polymeric overmold adapted to engage ends of first and secondspring members 206, 208. In addition, the rear support 202 includes aplurality of apertures 210 designed to receive wiring that relay dataand power to the vehicle seating assembly 10. The rear support 202includes a bottom flange 212 with the plurality of apertures 210, aswell as a rear vertical flange 214 that provides rigidity to the rearsupport 202. The rear support 202 also includes first, second, third,and fourth hooks 216, 218, 220, and 222 that are arranged to accommodatethe feet of a passenger sitting behind the vehicle seating assembly 10.Thus, the space in between the first hook 216 and the second hook 218 isgreater than between the second hook 218 and the third hook 220.However, the space between the first hook 216, the second hook 218, thethird hook 220, and the fourth hook 222 is substantially equal.

The hooks 216, 218, 220, 222 of the rear support include loaddistribution tabs 230 designed to effectively manage the load associatedwith the weight of a passenger, such that the load spread across each ofthe hooks 216, 218, 220, 222 is evenly distributed. Accordingly, theloading placed on the torsion tube 204 of the vehicle seating assembly10 is substantially evenly distributed. The suspension assembly 200includes rearward and forward trim attachment members 240 on both thefirst and second spring members 206, 208. The trim attachment members240 include fastener apertures 242 designed to secure portions of thetrim to the suspension assembly 200.

Referring again to FIGS. 12-14, the suspension assembly 200 alsoincludes a cross support 250 that extends across and connects the firstand second spring members 206, 208. A center portion 252 of the crosssupport 250 includes a climate control air supply duct 254 adapted tointerface with ductwork that supplies cool or warm air to the cushion ofthe vehicle seating assembly 10. A first side 256 of the cross support250 includes a first set of wiring apertures 258 designed to organizeand relay data and power wires to attachment locations on the vehicleseating assembly 10. Similarly, a second side 260 of the cross support250 includes a second set of wiring apertures 262 adapted to relay bothpower and data wires to attachment locations on the vehicle seatingassembly 10. Each wiring aperture 262 includes indicia designating whichwires are to extend through each particular aperture 262. A forwardportion 270 of each of the first and second spring members 206, 208includes a polymeric overmold with an arcuate wedge 272 disposed on amidportion thereof. The arcuate wedge 272 is adapted to interface withthe complementary arcuate slot 126 on the cushion pan 100. Accordingly,the arcuate wedge 272 and the arcuate slot 126 have complementaryconstructions that allow for a precise fit that minimizes noise,vibration, and harshness, as well as buzz, squeak, and rattle.Accordingly, mechanical fixation of the suspension assembly to thecushion pan 100 is unnecessary.

The suspension assembly 200 includes robust attachment features, as wellas an ideal interface for multi-contour seat hoses, and at the same timeprovides directional routing. In addition, the directional attachmentand interface features related to the wire apertures 258, 262 on thecross support provide robust joint integrity, thereby minimizing thelikelihood of dislodging as a result from jounce, ingress/egress, andoccupant loading. In addition, the wire apertures 258, 262 includeergonomic insertion efforts, that is, the apertures 258, 262 areelongate and adjacent apertures are arranged such that the longitudinalextent of adjacent apertures are orthogonal to one another.

Referring now to FIGS. 15-18, the illustrated embodiment includes anintegrated wiring harness 300 for use on the vehicle seating assembly10. The integrated wiring harness 300 includes a body portion 302 havinga first side hook 304, a second side hook 306, and a center hook 308 forengagement with the cushion pan 100. In addition, a latticework ofinterconnected lateral support members 310 is disposed inside the bodyportion 302 and bound by a peripheral frame 312. The integrated wiringharness 300 is adapted for engagement with a variety of modulesincluding memory modules, as well as seating position control modules.The body portion 302 of the integrated wiring harness 300 is at leastpartially constructed from a polymer formed from recycled materials. Inone embodiment, 30 percent of the body portion 302 is constructed fromrecycled materials. In addition, the integrated wiring harness 300includes module engagement tabs 320 that extend downwardly from the bodyportion 302. The module engagement tabs 320 include a friction fitconstruction, such that a module may be inserted against the integratedwiring harness 300 and secured in position with a snap fit typeconstruction. The hooks 304, 306, 308 serve as engagement hooks that aregenerally aligned with the module retention apertures 110 in the cushionpan 100. Accordingly, the integrated wiring harness 300 may be securedagainst a bottom portion of the cushion pan 100 by engagement of theretention hooks 304, 306, 308 with the module retention apertures 110 inthe cushion pan 100. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the engagement hookssecure the integrated wiring harness 300 to the bottom side of thecushion pan 100, which at the same time, secures modules, such as amemory module or a seat position control module, to an underside of thevehicle seating assembly 10.

The above descriptions have generally dealt with metallic and polymericcomponents.

However, it will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the artthat the metal used to form the described invention and other componentsis not limited to metallic and polymeric. Other exemplary embodiments ofthe invention disclosed herein may be formed from metallic andpolymeric, or any other suitable material.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desiredembodiment and other exemplary embodiments without departing from thespirit of the present innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present invention, and further it is to beunderstood that such concepts are intended to be covered by thefollowing claims unless these claims by their language expressly stateotherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A recliner bracket assembly for a vehiclecomprising: first and second recliner brackets positioned on either sideof a vehicle seat and including: a recliner heart receiving aperture;forward and rearward seat connection tabs; and a deformation notchformed in an edge of a rear flange that extends orthogonally from eachbracket; and a deformation triangle defined by an H-point of apassenger, the deformation notch on the first recliner bracket and thedeformation notch on the second recliner bracket.
 2. The reclinerbracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the planar extent of the rearwardseat connection tab is offset from the planar extent of a web.
 3. Therecliner bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the deformation notch onthe first recliner bracket and the deformation notch on the secondrecliner bracket each include a mouth that opens inwardly to a centerportion of the vehicle seat.
 4. The recliner bracket assembly of claim1, further comprising a recliner heart disposed in the recliner heartreceiving aperture.
 5. The recliner bracket assembly of claim 1, whereineach of the first and second recliner brackets includes a deformationaperture positioned proximate the deformation notch and adapted tocollapse under a predetermined loading from a rear collision event. 6.The recliner bracket assembly of claim 5, wherein the deformationaperture in the first and second recliner brackets are disposed in theweb of the first and second recliner brackets.
 7. A recliner bracketassembly for a vehicle comprising: first and second recliner bracketspositioned on either side of a vehicle seat, each of the first andsecond recliner brackets including: a web having a deformation aperture;a recliner heart receiving aperture; and a rear flange having adeformation notch defined in an edge of a rear flange that extendsorthogonally from the web, the deformation notch being positioned belowthe deformation aperture; and a deformation triangle defined by anH-point of a passenger, the deformation notch on the first reclinerbracket and the deformation notch on the second recliner bracket.
 8. Therecliner bracket assembly of claim 7, further comprising: a forward seatconnection tab and a rearward seat connection tab adapted to secure theseat to a support inside the vehicle.
 9. The recliner bracket assemblyof claim 8, further comprising: an arcuate portion disposed between theforward seat connection tab and the rearward seat connection tab. 10.The recliner bracket assembly of claim 7, wherein the deformation notchon the first recliner bracket and the deformation notch on the secondrecliner bracket each include a mouth that opens inwardly to a centerportion of the vehicle seat.
 11. The recliner bracket assembly of claim7, further comprising a recliner heart disposed in the recliner heartreceiving aperture.
 12. A recliner bracket for a vehicle comprising: aweb defining a recliner heart receiving aperture and operably connectedwith side supports of a seating assembly; forward and rearward seatconnection tabs extending from the web; and a deformation notch definedin an edge of a rear flange that extends orthogonally from the web, thedeformation notch adapted to collapse under a predetermined loading froma rear collision event.
 13. The recliner bracket of claim 12, furthercomprising: a deformation aperture positioned proximate the deformationnotch and adapted to collapse under a predetermined loading from a rearcollision event.
 14. The recliner bracket of claim 12, furthercomprising: a transition portion disposed between the web and therearward seat connection tab that offsets the planar extent of therearward seat connection tab relative to the web.
 15. The reclinerbracket of claim 12, further comprising: a recliner stop disposed abovethe recliner heart receiving aperture.
 16. The recliner bracket of claim12, further comprising: a recliner heart support disposed proximate abottom portion of the recliner heart receiving aperture.
 17. Therecliner bracket of claim 16, wherein the recliner heart supportincludes downwardly turned hook members adapted to secure trimcomponents.
 18. The recliner bracket of claim 12, wherein the planarextent of the rearward seat support connection tab is offset from theplanar extent of the web.